creek wader

Welcome. I floated the Coutrois/Huzzah/Meramec all in two days, a few years ago. I think it was in late June. Didn't fair well with the fish. But, it was really warm and had a heavy downpour. Beautiful streams/country. I'll have to try it again earlier in the year. I'll be looking forward to your reports on the Huzzah. .. Wader

Welcome. Don't worry about rambling on, on this site. We all enjoy it as long as pertains to fishing. I always like hearing about different tactics and lures.

Thanks for the update.

Went down below Bagnell Dam today. Beautiful day. Water looked good and wasn't raging like the other dams. However, I didn't get a hit. Seen a lot of people on the bank and in boats. I didn't see anybody catch anything but, heard someone had caught a few crappie and somebody else caught some small cat. A lot of dead and stunned shad coming out. You'd think there would be a feeding frenzy. I did hear from several people that a lot of spoonbill were being snagged down in the legal area.

I've always been a tick magnet. Since I was a kid, I would get them everytime I stepped into the woods or weeds. I always pulled them off me with my finger nails. Never left a mark. Always got the head intact. But, the last few years, when I get them and remove them that way. The bite will swell up, much worse than a mosquito bite. Many times it will harden and linger for weeks. Last summer, I started spraying my body down with Cutter's or deep woods off. I never got any ticks, when I did that. First time out this year, I didn't spray down and got a couple of ticks on me. Removed them and they both left nasty bites. I guess, I'd better start spraying down again. Definately don't want lime of spotted fever.

This time of year the weather dictates the fishing. I'm from NW MO. so, I know about the limited fishing opporunities. That's how we discovered the Little Niangua. It was the closest smallie stream to where we live. Still, almost a 4 hr. drive. Fortunately for me, my job takes me to Jeff. City. There are several smallie streams within an hour's drive from there. If you get a chance later in the year, especially May or early June, you'll have to try the Little Niangua. Please practice C&R. Good luck.

I've fished the Little Niangua, quite a few times the last several years. It's my favortie float stream. When do you want to fish it? Late summer and the fall is the best time to wade/fly fish the stream, because it's lower then, good for wading. However, if you float, there are many fly fishing oppurtunities between the long pools to fly fish, this time of year. The area just got pounded with rain the past few days. So, my guess is that it is up quite a bit and probably quite stained right now. I'd give it a week or so, unless the weather keeps up. Use the usual suspects, woolys, clousers, and my favotite is the craw imitators, if going for smallies. Top water and craw imitators later in the year, also, grass hopper imitators are deadly in the late summer. Mid-April thru mid-July is the best fishing with May being the best month. I use the same canoe outfittter every year and they are the best I've found. It's Cedar Camp and here is thier email; cedarcmp@dam.net They will be able to tell you how the river looks and what its doing by looking out thier window. If you go up to Mule Shoe or even farther upstream it has more wading prbablities. But, I'd float and wade it. The best water is between Mule Shoe CA and Fiery Fork CA. Don't go below Fiery fork, it rapidly becomes part of the LOZ, and is a waste of time, trust me on that. I love that stream, you'll probably be the only one on it. It's a great secret. If you want more detailed info, I got plenty. Good luck.

I finally made it out for the first time this year, Friday the 14th. Went to a CA on the Maries, for smallies. The river was up a foot or so and suprisingly gin clear. Fished below a major riffle with a nice hole below it. Tried a varity of lures to no avail. Not a bite. Then went to Painted Rock CA, on the lower Osage. Fished the lake, not a bite there either. Stumbled down to the river. It was way up, into the trees, moving fast and stained. Very limited space to stand or cast. 3rd cast caught a 14" crappie, let it go. Fished for another 30 min. without another bite. I realize that many people catch that size or bigger crappie in the LOZ. But, I thought it was a very nice fish for the lower Osage, especially under the conditions. Got my blood flowing. Going out today, St. Patty's Day, on a different spot on the Maries, to do some wading for smallies. Getting some pretty good rain, hail and a lot of thunder but, will try it anyway. Got the fever.

I couldn't agree any more.

Nice report, as usual, Al.

Anybody can say he caught one that size or bigger. Need proof. This is the "show me state". I don't beleive it till I see it.

I'm all for it.

It may have smallies in it, it is spring fed, though the fed site doesn't mention them. .. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/...s/loggers_lake/

Looks like a Norther Hogsucker to me.

I'm not one to jump on the MDC. I'm sure it has it's faults, but compared to most other state's conservation dept.'s, I believe the MDC is the best that I've seen. Also, I've never viewed it's magazine as anti hunting, trapping or fishing. I think it covers a very wide varity of outdoor activities. Something for everyone. I also, look forward to my issue every month. I am originally from out of state. But, I thoroughly enjoy this state and it's outdoors and in my opinion, I believe the MDC is doing a good job for all of us who enjoy the outdoors. It provides a huge amount of CA's, covering the whole state and I make use of many of them. They also, provide a wealth of info on a wide varity of outdoor activities. Once again, I believe the lady is entitled to her opinion, whether it may differ from my views or that of others. However, I still would defend hunting, fishing, and trapping, if I'm ever confronted by someone making such harsh statements as she did.

After reading her comments, I wouldn't classifier her as a "lunatic", there are plenty of more extreme lunatics out there, believe me I've met them. However, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, I'm not taking her side either. I'm sure she's a hypocrite. Maybe she doesn't wear fur now or is a veagan now. But, I would ask her if she has ever had any leather coats, purses, or shoes, especially tennis shoes, in the past. Also, I'd ask her if she ever ate a hamburger, chicken, lobster, shrimp, a taco, or any other kind of meat. Just because a whitetail or rabbit is cuter than a cow, chicken, or pig doesn't make it ok for her to judge others. Even though, I love to eat fish, I catch and release. I no longer hunt, but I've taken my share of deer and other animals over the years. So, I would never be a hypocrite and lash out at others. Just my opinion.

KATrouman, Rain storm, Snow storm, Ice storm. Please give us some forewarning, before you plan a trip to the Roubioux again, so everybody can make alternate plans.

I also, had requested a couple of forums such as "other ozark lakes" and "other ozark streams". He added this forum and a catch-all "other ozark waters". He does a good job with this site, best fishing site on the web. Good fishing to you all.

I wade/float/fish many questionable streams. I believe the law refers to it as "navigable waterways". A few years ago a farmer tried to run me off of a rock wing dike on the Missouri river. I knew I was in the right but, I had crossed 20 yds of his property to get there, (should of got there via boat). Anyway, I knew I had tresspassed to get there. So, I respected his wishes and left. Plenty of river to fish elsewhere. I enter the smaller streams on public property, ie bridges, mdc access, and low water crossings. I always catch and release, do not litter, or mess with any of their property. I have not had any confrontations with any other landowners but, will avoid confrontations and respect their wishes and leave. It's not worth the hassle. I've owned land and had a problem with hunters and people sneaking in to fish my ponds. I always was courtious and adult about it, and expect the same in return. It's an issuse that the MDC needs to address and make it black and white to avoid any confusion. Just my opinion.

Nice report, all you early birds are giving me the fever. We still had 10" of snow on the ground with the streams froze up. Then got another 6" of snow on top of it yesterday. It was 10 degreees with a 35mph substained wind and gust to 50mph, last night. I'm tired of this. I'll have to fish vicariously through you guys. Thanks for the light reading. ... Wader

Very well done. Nice pics, great report. Now, I've got the fever.

I've never caught anything on a wooly, either. I've slain smallies on my crawfish imitators, but not on a wooly. I'll try the methods that you guys have suggested. Let you know how it turns out. By the way "Hoglaw", where'd you get that name? You a railroader?

looks like it worked, to me

Good report. Bet it was great to just get out. Keep up the posts.

Lilley, I can see catching trout, panfish, and maybe young largemouth. But, have you had any reports of catching smallies on these?